Extension switch



y E. N. .lAcoBlA EXTENSION SWITCH Aug. 11,1925.

Y F11ed July 21, 1917 5 sheets-sheet 1 QM. mw ww Ww QN n. 4 l .c m N6@ M u1 jW/TNESSES t E. N. JACOB! EXTENSION SWITCH Filed July 2l, 1917 Aug.- l1

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATT-0R "ide such an Patented ug. 11, 1925.

ori-ica TO BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

EXTENSIQN SWITCH.

Application led J'uly 21, 1917. Serial No. 182,040. w

To all wiz-om, t may concern.:

Be it known that 1, EDWARD N.

' citizen l of1 t JAooBI, a he United Sta-tes, and

resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and Sta-te of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Extension Switches, of Awhich the following is ka description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which vare a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object toprovide an automobile switch with the switch mechanism distant from the handle mechanism and suitably connected therewith by extensible and flexible means to permit ot' variation in angularity and distance between the handle mechanism 'and the switch mechanism to accommodate the varia-tion incitient to the use of metal instrument boards and cowl dash construct-ions.

Another object of the-invention is to proextension switch construction without loose parts liable to rattle when the automobile is in motion.

Another object of the invention isl to provide an extension switch of this character which will constitute aI lock switch and which will controlthe lighting circuits as well as the ignition circ-uit.

lith the above and other objects in view the invent-ion consists in the extension switch as herein claimed and 'all equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in the different views:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an extension switch constructed in accordance with this invention:

Fig. 2 is a front View thereof;

Fig. 3` is a sectional View on the plane of line 3 3 of Fig. 1 showing the cam operated lock mechanism;

Fig. .tis a perspective view of the lock cam:

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view on a plane at right. angles to the plane of Fig. 1 showing the tubular driver connecting the lock cam with the operating rod;

F ig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the connection between the inner operating' parts and the connection between the outer operating parts;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the driver clutch;

- turned thereby to move the thrust plate;

Figf8 is a face view of peispective view of the operat- Fig. 9 is a ing dog;

Fig. 10 is a view modified form of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional View thereof on the plane of line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of parts on the plane of line 12-12 yont Fig. 11, the cam follower andthe pusher being separated from the cam for clearness;

Fig. 13 is a. sectional view through the switch handle'showing the operating cup on the end of the rod;

Fig. 1.1. is a detail view centering cup;

Fig. 15 is a detail 'view of the cam follower; and;

Fig. 16 is a. detail view of the key.

In these drawings 15 indicates a switch case riveted or otherwise secured to a thin sheet metal plate 16 which is slightly dished and is somewhat flexible in order to permit the switch to be inclined one way or another for alignment with its .operating means. This plate may be riveted or otherwise secured to the base 17 which may in turn be securedfto the dash board 17. A terminal head 18 of insulating material is secured to the switch case and forms therewith a housing in which is located a switch mechanismof a well known type, though any other switch mechanism may be substituted. Theinsulat-ing contact disk 19 is Secured to a tlangedvdriver chuck 2O fitting through an opening in the casing and is `the radial spring contact arms of the spider 21 into engagement with re essed contacts studs 22 embedded in the terminal head to e'ect the di'erent lighting combinations for controlling the lighting circuits of the automo- 'of the driver chuck and a stem portion passing through a central opening in the insulating disk 19; The end of the spindle 26 is similar to Fig. 1 of a of the key guide` CORPORATION, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIILI',x A

flattened to form a flange fitting in a central slot of an insulating connecting member 27 so that when the spindle is turned said connect-ing member is turned and serves to rotate a pair of concentrically mounted brush arms 28 having bent portions engaging notches thereof. The rotation of the brush arms causes them toengage alternate pairs of contact segments for controlling the ignition circuit of the automobile and incidentally changing the polarity thereof.

The switch handle 29 is rotatably mounted in a front plate 30 secured in any desired manner to the instrument board or cowl dash 31. A thrust plate 32 is mounted on the handle and has a bearing on the front plate to hold the handle in place and an operatin plate as y riveting lugs on the end thereof through openings in the thrust plate and serves to communicate motion from the rotary handle to the driver clutch 2O in order to rotate the contact disk 19. The slip connection between the driver clutch 20 and the operating tube 33 is formed by the slotted end of the tube so as to leave a pair of parallel ingers 34 diametrically opposite and engaged between a pair of opposite outstanding parallel horns -35 on the driver 'chuck 20. rlhese intertting fingers and horns allow of the handle being positioned at various distances from the switch mechanism without losing their driving connection communicating the turning movements of the handle to the contact disk.

In order to communicate the `movements of the key in the handle to the spindle 26 for operating the lock bolt 23A and for turning the ignition switch, an operating rod 36 is provided within the operating tube and adapted to be turned by the key and serving to turn a driver sleeve 37 which lits within the driver chuck 20 andy is engaged with the spindle The flat key 38 is adapted to be entered through a slot 39 in the end of the handle 29 and' is guided by a key guide A40 into a groove 41 in the end of an operating dog 42 which is rotatably mounted in the handle 29. This operating dog 42 has a shoulder bearing against a corresponding shoulder in the bore of the handle to form an end thrust bearing and is confined in place by the thrust plate 32, while the end of the operating rod 36 has lts end locked within an opening thereof by a pin 43 passing through the dog and the end of the rod. The other end of the operating rod telescopes within D the driver sleeve 37 and is slotted to receive a pin 44 which extends across the opening of the sleeve. The driver sleeve is confined within the driver chuckmmber 2O by engaging with inwardly projecting ilanges 45 at the ends of the horns 35, while the other end of the sleeve is formed with a pair of oppotube 33 is fastened to the thrust y rtaaeai site driving lugs 46 engaging a slot across the end of the enlarged head of spindle 26. The variation in spacing of the switch handle from the switch construction will be accommodated by the play of the pin 44 in the slot of the operating rod 36 and the turning movements of the key will be transmitted through the operating rod 36 and the driver sleeve 37 to the spindle 26 to control the lock bolt and to operate the ignition switch. Spring pawls 47 on the driver chuck member 20, as seen in Fig. 3, may engage ratchet teeth 48 on the head of spindle 26 to permit said spindle to turn in one direction only, thus compelling the proper operation for reversing the polarity of the ignition circuit.

In order to prevent the rattle of loose parts a coil spring 49 is housed within the operating tube 33 and bears at one end against the inwardly projecting flanges 45 of the horns of the driverV chuck and against a spherical collar 50 secured on the operating rod 36. The spring serves to hold the operating rod in its end thrust bearing and at the saine time press the driver chuck against its end thrust bearing. The collar 50 fits within the operating tube 33 so as to keep the rod 36 centrally positioned therein.

For installing the switch of this invention it is not necessary to carry the wiring through the space between the cowl dash vand the dash board where it is difficult to properly handle it, but the wiring may be carried on the front of the dash board where the switch mechanism is located. lt is almost impossible to obtain accurate registration of an opening in the cowl dash for switch handle mechanism and an opening in the dash board for'the switch operating connection. These openings are consequently made large to leave a clearance around the operating connection that will enable the parts to be positioned as desired. The switch handle mechanism may be secured in place on the cowl dash or instrument board and then the switch mechanism may be coupled therewith and secured to the dash board. AThe slidable coupling for the operating members makes it unnecessary to cut parts in order that they may it, for they merely telescope more'or less to accommodate the variation in .the distance between the dash board and cowl dash that will unavoidably occur in different cars of the same make. Furthermore, the flexibility of the thin sheet metal plate 16 permits the switch mechanism to be properly aligned with the handle mechanism enabling `the parts to fit together without binding when the edge of the front plate ian Vting nector disk 27,

a yielding dexible support for the switch for automatically obtaining adjustment of the position of the switch to bring it into axial alignment with the handle.

The switch structure of this invention is quickly and easily installed without cutand fitting of parts and without reqrlliiring extreme accuracy in the workmans 1p. t y

By inserting the key 38 in the key opening 39 it` engages the groove 41 of the operating dog so that when it is turned it turns the operating rod 36, the driver sleeve 37, the spindle 26 and the insulating conthus turning the contact brushes 28 to render the ignition circuit effective, while at the same time through the turning of cam 25 withdrawing the locking bolt 23 to a position for unlocking the lighting switch. While the switch is unlocked the handle 29 maybe turned to any desired position for controlling the lighting circuits, the movement of the handle being yimparted through the operating tube 33 and the driver chuck 20 to the contact disk 19. The key is preferably seated in notches in the handle member 29 so as to turn therewith, the contact segments of the pole reversing ignition switch being of sufficient length to permit the arc of movement without losing contact 'with the brushes 28.

, has helical cam tion switch contact spring 28',

It is to be understood that the invention th is not limited to any rangement of limitations are specified in the claims.

The the switch are not essential to the invention and various other parts may be changed without departingfrom the invention. In the construction shown in Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive, and forming a modification of the specific form or arlinvention, the lighting switch is not locked by thev removal of the key for the ignition switch but is independent thereof so that the lights may becont'rolled as desired when the car is locked as well as when the ignition circuit is operative. lOther changes in details of construction are made in this modification.

In this modification the switch case 15 is of substantially the same construction as in the otherform of the invention, but the terminal head 18' thereof carries a simple igniadapted to be' forced against the contact stud. 28" for closing the ignition circuit of a battery ignition system. Themovement of-the switch contact spring 28' is effected through a pusher 26', preferably of linsulating material andpassing through a central opening in the contact disk 19". The end ot' the pusher 26' is reduced in diameter and passes through a central opening in a caln which arms guided in grooves of the chuck 20'. The driver sleeve 37 has an parts except in so far as such particular details of construction of vrlvetingfit in place. operating dog forms inthe end of the rod to be spaced lugs at the end of the enlarged head 61 v'with a central recess 62 of the pusher 26', and also has a pair of cam Surfaces 63 fitt' g against the cam surfaces of the cam mem `Vr 60 so that when the driver is turned in one direction the cooperation of these cam member to slide in the chuck and force the pusher 26' against the pressure of the ignition switch contact spring 28', moving it into engagement Vwith the contact stud 28". `When the driver is turned in the other direction, these cam surfaces permit the ignition switch contact spring 28' to move out of engagement with the contact stud and return the parts to their original position. The head of the driver 37 bears against a shoulder on the chuck 20 and has an offset against the surface of The coil spring 49' is of larger dia-meter cam surfaces forces theL at its middle portion so as to bear outward- I ly against the operating tube 33', while its ends. tightly engage the operating rod 36',

us serving to center At one end the spring bears against the in'- wardly projecting flanges 45' on the horns. of the driver chuck as before, while at its other end it bears against aV collar 66 of uthe clinch washer type engaged in a, groove around the operating rod. The horns of the driver chuck in this form of the device are :formed by projectionskk inside of the bore of the chuck which is tubular, forming a housing to enclose the overlapping parts of the operating connections. J vThe 'thrust'plate 32', instead. ofbeing riveted on the end of the operating tube 33', has lugs 67 entered through the end yof the operating tube,l such end of ,the operating tube fitting within the bore of The operatend of the opera-ting ing on the end of the operating tube and having the operating rod riveted thereto. rlllhe end of the operating rod is shouldered byhaving parallel flat faces formed thereon,and the opening through the operating dogy 42' has parallel engaged by the opposite edges of the rod for rlihe opening in the a continuation of the key groove 4l' engaged by the key 382'.'V Between the operating dog 42 and .the shoulder in the operating rod.v

a cup contained withf in this bore of the switch handle and bearthe bore of the switch hanopenings near j edges to fit thereon and y dle, is a dished centering cup 68 with a central opening fitting around the end of the key guide 40, and allowing the end of the key to pass therethrough. The centering cup turns with the key guide and holds it in proper position to gui e the key to the groove in the end of thl o erating rod.

In order that there should be a guide stop to determine the position of' the key in which it registerswith the key opening of the handle` a lug 69 is bent outwardly from' the operating dog 42 and travels in a recess in the bore of the switch handle and engages the end of said recess for that purpose.

It will be noted that with this construction there is the same facility for centering the operating means with the switch mechanism and that the parts are free from binding, a sufficient play. being permitted between the coupling members to give them what is in effect a universal joint without permitting rattling. The shape and position of the spring 49 assist in preventing the rattling of parts, serving to centrally space the rod 36 within the tube 33 and pressing the rod and the operating parts attached thereto into end thrust bearing, while also pressing the driver chuck and the parts attached thereto into end thrust bearing.o 'Ihe pressure of the ignition contactspring serves to hold the driver 37 in its end thrust bearing.

The frictional engagement between the two switch operating means causes the operating rod and its parts to turn when the switch handle is turned for controlling the lighting circuit, thus their relative position remains the same and the cam for operating the pusher remains ineffective for changing the position of the ignition switch. In any position of the lighting switch, however, the key,l may be turned to cause the cam to move the pusher and so operate the ignition switch to either lock or unlock the car. The stop ,lug 69 by striking the shoulder at the end of the recess in which it travels, positions the key in register with the key hole slot in the handle member.

It will be noted that in both forms of the invention the extensible driving connections between theswitches and their operating means have their engaging faces in parallel planes with comparatively close fit, while having comparatively loose fit withother parts, thus permitting them to have pivotal movement with each other to compensate for slight angularity between the handle mechanism and the switch mechanism. In compensating for this angularity these joints act as universal joints.

What I claim as new anddesire to secure i by Letters Patent is:

l. An automobile switch, an irregularly positioned handle distant therefrom, a shaft connection between the switch and handle,

and means permit-ting adjustment of the position of the switch for axial alignment with the handle.

2. A switch having a variably distant handle, extensible shaft connecting means between them, and means permitting adjustment of the switch for axial alignment with the handle.

3. A switch having a distant handle, a shaft connection between them, and compensating means for maintaining axial alignment between the switch and its handle.

l. A switch having a distant handle, shaft connecting means between them, anda flexible support for the switch permitting its axial alignment with the handle.

5. An automobile switch, a handle distant therefrom, a shaft connecting the same, bearing plates for each end of the shaft adapted to be secured to the dash-board and the instrument board, and means for permitting a universal angular adjustment of the shaft with relation to one of the attaching plates to compensate for non-parallelism of the supporting elements.

6. In an automobile switch, a double switch structure, a double handle mechanism variably distant therefrom, and concentric extensible driving connections between the switch structure andA the handle mechanism.

7 An automobile lock switch comprising a switch structure, a lock member, a distant handle, operating means connecting the switch structure with the handle, and key operated means on the handle having connection with the lock member.

8. An automobile lock switch comprising a switch mechanism, a lock member therefor, a distant handle, key operated means on the handle, and concentric means for connecting the handle and the key operated means with the switch mechanism and the lock member respectively.

9. An automobile lock switch, comprising a switch mechanism, a lock member therefor, a variably distant handle, a key operated means on the handle, and extensible operating means connecting the handle and the key operating means with the switch mechanism and the lock member respectively. p

10. An automobile switch, comprising a switch mechanism, a lock member therefor, a variably distant handle, a keyioperated means on the handle, and concentric extensible operating means connecting the handle and the key operated means with the switch mechanism and the lock member respectively.

11. An automobile switch, comprising a suitably mounted handle member, a key operated means therein, an operating tube connected with the handle member and terminating in parallel fingers, an operating rod lswitch member,

ing the ignition switch l the handle but independent thereof, and

` lighting switch and member for the switch member, a driver sleeve fitting within the driver chuck and having connection with the lock member, and a pin across the driver sleeve engaging the slot of the operating rod.

l2. An automobile switch, comprising a suitably mounted erated means therein, an operating tube connected with the handle member and terminating in parallel fingers, an operating rod within the operating tube connected with the key operated means 6and having a slot in its end, a switch mechanism having a a driver chuck connected with the switch member and provided with a pair of projecting horns interfitting with the fingers of the operating tube, a lock member for the switch member, a driver sleeve fitting within the` driver chuck and having connection with the lock member, a projection on the horns of the driver chuck engaging the driver sleeve,` a pin across the driver sleeve engaging the slot ofthe operating rod, a collar on the operating rod, and a coil spring surrounding the operating rod and bearing at one end against the collar and at the other end against the driver chuck.

13. An automobile switch, comprising switch mechanisms, a variably distant handle, a key operated means on the handle, and extensible operating means connecting the handle with one switch mechanism and the key operated means with the other switch mechanism. v

14:. An automobile switch, comprising a lighting switch and an ignition switch, a distant handle for the lighting switch, and key controlled means accessible through an opening in the handle for operating the ignition switch, the handle lfor the lighting switch being independent of the key controlled means.

'15. An automobile switch, comprising a lighting switch -and an ignition switch, a variably` distant handle for the lighting switch, a key controlledmeans for contained within concentric connecting means between the handle and the lighting switch and betweenl t e key controlled means and the ignition switch.

16. An automobile switch, comprising a an ignition switch, a

handle for operating thelighting switch,"a

key controlled means within the handle operated by handle member, a key op operathaving engagement therewith to maintain itin a fixed relation thereto, and means dependent. upon a relative movement between said handle and said key controlled means for operating the ignition switch.

17. An automobile switch,l comprising a lighting switch and an ignition switch, a handle forl operating the lighting switch, a key controlled means accessible through an opening in the handle and having engagement with the handle for maintaining itin a, fixed relation thereto, and a cam means a relative movement between the key conti/foiled means and the handle for operating the ignition switc 18. An automobile switch, comprising a llighting switch and an ignition switch, a distant handle having an extensible loperative connection a keycontrolledv means withinL the handle engaging-the handig to maintain a fixed relation; therewith, ,a cam member having an extensible driving connection with the key controlled means, and a cam operated by the" cam member fo-r moving the ignition switch.

v19.;."An automobile switch, comprising a switch; casing, a rotary contact member mounted therein, a chuck member secured to the rotary contact 'member and provided with a tubular extension containing longitudinal ribs, a pusher passing through an opening in the contact member, an ignition switch operated thereby, a cam engaging the pusher, af cam driverl member seated within the chuck and havingy a cam face to engage the cam and yhaving a tubular extension provided with longitudinal ribs, a variably distant handle member, an operating tube projecting therefrom, and a key controlled operating rod within the operating tube, said operating tube and said operating rod having their ends slotted to receive the longitudinal ribs 'of the chuck and the driver member respectively.

20. Anautomobile switch, comprising aswitch casing, a rotary chuck member therein, a clutch secured to the switch member and having a tubular extension with longi-c .ating rod having their ends slotted to receive the longitudinal ribs of the chuck and the driver 4member respectively, projections on the end of the chuck member passing through the slots of the operating tube, a coil spring within the operating .tube bearwith the lighting switch,

ing at one nd against such projections, and a collar fixed on the operating rod and having the other end of the coll spring hear thereon, said coil spring being of larger diameter at an intermediate point to permit it to bear against the walls of the operating tube at such point while engaging the operating rod at its ends.

21. An automobile switch, comprising ,a lighting switch-and an ignition switch, a

distant handle for the lightin switch, any

operating tube with its end tting 1n an opening in the handle, a thrust plate fixed on the operating tube and secured to the handle, a cup-shaped dog within said Opening of the handle, an operating'rod secured to said dog and having a key receiving slot at its end, a lug projecting from the dog and having limitedrnovement within the handle, and a key adapted to enter the opening of the handle and engage the operating rod, said operating tube and said operating rod having connection with the lighting switch and the ignition switch respectively.

22. An automobile switch, comprising a lighting switch and an ignition switch, a distant handle, an operating tube fitting in Maasai ,opening through which the end of the operating rod is riveted, there being a slot in the end of the operating rod and an opening in the dog to receive a key, a centering cup held within the opening of the handle between a shoulder thereof and the said dog,

said centering cup having an opening through which the key may pass and also having a larger central opening, and a U- shaped key guide contained within the opening of the handle and positioned within the central opening of the centering cup to guide the key to the slot in the end of the operating rod, said operating tube and said operating rod having connection with the lighting switch and the ignition switch respectively.

ln testimony whereof, l aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

y EDWARD N. JAcoBi.

Witnesses:

R. S. C. CALDWELL, H. lD.y CHASE. 

